Rio Ferdinand has revealed that even David De Gea’s own Manchester United teammates had doubts as to whether he’d become the player he has done, when he first arrived at the club.

Spaniard De Gea, who pulled off one particular world class save in United’s 0-0 draw at Sevilla in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday evening, is now deemed to be one of the best stoppers in the world.

He was far from that when he arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2011, though - Sir Alex Ferguson recruited him from Atletico Madrid with the long-term plan in mind.

Ferdinand, working as a pundit, played with De Gea for a number of years before he retired and explained that the keeper had to win over his own colleagues when he first arrived.

“When he first came [to United], even as players we were sitting there as players with doubts,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.

“A young kid just come through the doors at United, we need to win every year, how are we going to do that with a young kid, inexperienced, who looks like he’s lacking confidence.

“To be fair, Steeley [United’s ex-goalkeeper coach Eric Steele] who brought him in, believed in him and the gaffer [Sir Alex Ferguson] followed that through, and look where he is today, that’s a sign of someone who’s worked hard to get where he needs to get.”

Matic's midfield hint

Does Nemanja Matic know something to excite Manchester United fans?

That’s the question being pondered by legions of supporters after the midfielder followed Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on Instagram.

The Lazio midfielder, 22, has established himself as one of Europe’s brightest prospects over the past few seasons.

And with Jose Mourinho having previously declared his desire to sign a midfielder to replace Michael Carrick at the end of the season, United fans could be tempted to put two and two together.

Milinkovic-Savic, nicknamed The Sergente, previously revealed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was his favourite footballer, has been tipped to become one of the most expensive players of all-time this summer - if he decides to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

And Mourinho will not have to look too far to get the inside track on Milinkovic-Savic.

(Image: 2018 Getty Images)

The Serbian won his first senior international cap in October and is likely to line up alongside Matic at the World Cup.